Wild confident reality check will spark response: 'React the right way' |
DENVER — For the first time, Kirill Kaprizov is trying to grow a playoff beard during the Stanley Cup tournament’s second round, and so far the grooming mission is not flourishing.
His beard is sparse, a little like sprouting wheat during a drought.
“I’ve never had (one), I think,” the 29-year-old Russian said Monday. “Usually every morning, before every game, yeah, I shave all the time. But now we'll see how long it can be. I hope a long one.”
The duration of the Minnesota Wild’s playoff beard-growing season depends partly on Kaprizov.
The world’s most expensive hockey player was excellent in a six-game win against the Dallas Stars in the opening round of the National Hockey League playoffs.
But in the offensive rave party that was the Wild’s 9-6 loss Sunday in their second-round opener against the Colorado Avalanche, Kaprizov was strangely ineffective, managing only one shot on target and a second assist.
As with half of Minnesota’s lineup, this is Kaprizov’s first playoff foray beyond the opening round, which was the final resting place of Wild playoff hopes in nine series over 11 seasons before their breakthrough last week against the Stars.
Like Kaprizov’s baby beard, the second round is entirely new to 10 Minnesota players and most of their best ones, including wingers Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, top-pairing defenceman Brock Faber and starting goalie Jesper Wallstedt.
Watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs on SportsnetThe quest for the Stanley Cup begins with 16 teams and ends with one champion. Don't miss a moment of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with every game on Sportsnet and Sportsnet .Broadcast schedule
Watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sportsnet
The quest for the Stanley Cup begins with 16 teams and ends with one champion. Don't miss a moment of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with every game on........